Having shone in front of the Ricoh Arena crowds this year, Wasps centre Elliot Daly is more than capable of making the step up to England colours, according to World Cup winner Lewis Moody.

Daly has enjoyed a hugely successful season, revelling in the chance to play in front of the larger crowds in Coventry.

A prolonged opportunity at No.13 has been grabbed with both hands with the 22-year-old crossing the whitewash five times in 20 Premiership appearances. And while Wasps may have missed out on the chance to contest for the title through the play-offs, Daly is still in the running for silverware.

He has been nominated for both the Land Rover Discovery of the Season and the Aviva Premiership Player of the Year awards.

And Moody believes the recognition only strengthens his case for a senior England appearance.

“Elliot has been brilliant this year for Wasps, absolutely sublime. With the move up to the Ricoh Arena, it has really paid dividends for the club,” he said. “The fan base is larger, the revenue is larger and that gives the club the chance to invest in the playing squad.

“Elliot is someone who is really thriving in that environment, he’s great on the big stage and he’s a very important member of the team.

Wasps' Elliot Daly scores the second try against Saracens

“I think he’s also benefited from having Stephen Jones as part of the coaching set-up. He’s really helped his game and you can see the step up he has made this year.

“He’s definitely in Stuart Lancaster’s thought process – he’s done himself no harm with his performances for Wasps this season.

“The centre position is such a conundrum, Jonathan Joseph answered many questions with his recent performances for England so it’s a case of who’s going to be around him and Elliot has got a chance.”

The Land Rover Discovery of The Season award is designed to recognise the most impressive young players in the Aviva Premiership Rugby each season and reward them for their outstanding contribution to the competition.

The winner will follow in the footsteps of some special talents; previous winners have included Owen Farrell, Manu Tuilagi and Joe Launchbury, with Billy Vunipola claiming the prize last year.

Elliot Daly

But that is easier said than done with Daly facing stiff competition with the list of nominees including Saracens’ Maro Itoje, Harlequins’ Jack Clifford, as well as Exeter Chiefs’ duo Jack Nowell and Henry Slade.

But 22-year-old Daly insists he is focused only on continuing to improve week in, week out and take his game up another gear next season.

“It’s really unbelievable news for me,” he said. “To get nominated for that award by my peers is a really awesome feeling, and I can’t wait for the winner to be announced.

“I think it’s been a big season for me in terms of progress. At the start of the season Dai Young asked me where I would most like to play this year and I said at No.13.

“I’m really glad he’s given me that opportunity, and my thanks go to him for letting me play at outside centre this season.

Elliot Daly

“I feel that’s my best position and I really wanted to push on from last year – hopefully I’ve done that.

“I think as a No.13 you are tested quite a lot at protecting those outside channels, and I think I needed a good pre-season and some game-time to make sure my reads were right.

“I’ve been trying to work on a lot this year, and obviously I’ll be working on them even more next season to take my game to the next level.”

l Lewis Moody was commenting on the Land Rover Discovery of The Season award. The winner of this year’s award will be announced following the Premiership Rugby Awards tomorrow. Follow @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal